The Telford and Shropshire LVEP Tourism Leadership Board at the Flax Mill in Shrewsbury

News from Telford and Shropshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership

Telford and Shropshire has reached a major milestone for its visitor economy, with the appointment of a Tourism Leadership Board bringing together ten of the county’s leading visitor economy sector figures to turn ambition into action.

At the heart of the VisitEngland-accredited Telford and Shropshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), the Tourism Leadership Board brings together leaders from across key sectors, including landscapes, heritage and culture, hospitality and food, attractions, retail, business events and place-making. It will set the strategic direction and provide a stronger national voice to help realise the area’s full potential.

The Tourism Leadership Board is part of a new public-private partnership for Telford and Shropshire, created to unlock growth, enhance the visitor offer and drive delivery of the Destination Master Plan for the thousands of tourism, hospitality and visitor-economy businesses across the area.

It is founded on a strategic collaboration between Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire Council, Visit Shropshire and Visit Telford. The partnership strengthens a shared, county wide approach to growing the visitor economy. By working together, partners continue to align leadership, insight and investment to support tourism businesses, ensure consistent decision making and drive sustainable, long term growth for the benefit of local communities and the wider economy.

Andrew Stokes, VisitEngland, England Director, said:

“Telford and Shropshire is a destination of real national significance, with a compelling mix of heritage, landscapes and culture. This Tourism Leadership Board is a strong step forward: bringing partners together around one plan, one voice and a clear route to delivery. We’re proud to support the destination as it turns ambition into action and creates long term value for visitors, communities and businesses.”

The Telford and Shropshire LVEP Tourism Leadership Board is:

• Landscapes and Outdoor Representative: Phil Holden, Shropshire Hills National Landscape
• Museums and Attractions (National): Mark Agnew, Ironbridge Gorge, National Trust Shropshire
• Museums and Attractions (Large): Abi Betteridge RAF Museum Midlands
• Museums and Attractions (Small): Will Dorrell, Hoo Farm & Dinosaur World
• Culture, Heritage and Arts: Jonathan Soden, Soden Gallery
• Business Events Representative: Alison Griffin, Telford International Centre
• Food, Drink and Hospitality Representative: Adam Purnell (The Shropshire Lad), Embers, Emburgers and Baked Bean
• Place and Towns Representative: Seb Slater, Shrewsbury BID / Visit Shropshire
• Shopping Centre and Large Retail Representative: Glynn Morrow, Telford Centre
• Accommodation Representative (Small, B&B, Self Catering, Glamping): Mark Beb, Salop Leisure

Ahead of the Board’s first formal meeting, members met at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, a symbol of innovation and place-led regeneration to mark a shared ambition and a new era of collaborative destination leadership.

Mandy Thorn MBE DL, Chair of the Telford and Shropshire Tourism Board, said:

“We’ve brought together a Leadership Board with the reach, experience and energy to make a real difference. Our job now is simple, back great businesses, champion our places and deliver the Destination Master Plan with pace and purpose. If we work as one destination, we can grow the visitor economy in a way that feels right for local communities and unmistakably reflects what makes Telford and Shropshire special.”

Councillor Angela McClements, Co Vice Chair of the Tourism Leadership Board and Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet member for culture, leisure & tourism, said:

“This Leadership Tourism Board reflects the scale and richness of our visitor economy, and the pride people feel in this place. From world class heritage and National Landscapes to hospitality, culture, retail and business events, it brings us to one shared table where we can listen, align and act. By working in true partnership, we can welcome more people, create opportunity and ensure the benefits of tourism are felt in towns, villages and neighbourhoods across Telford and Shropshire.”

Councillor Alex Wagner, Co Vice Chair of the Tourism Board and Shropshire Council Cabinet member for transformation and economic growth, said:

“Shropshire’s appeal is built on the quality and authenticity of its places and that’s something we have a responsibility to protect. This Board is about partnership, joining up councils and industry to target investment, improve connectivity and strengthen the visitor offer. Done well, tourism supports jobs and local enterprise while safeguarding the character of the environment and the places people come here to experience.”

Further information

The Telford and Shropshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) brings together Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire Council and industry partners Visit Telford and Visit Shropshire to strengthen the visitor economy across the county. Accredited by VisitEngland, the LVEP provides a collaborative platform to drive sustainable growth, enhance visitor experiences and position Telford and Shropshire as must visit destinations in the UK and beyond.

For more information visit www.telfordandshropshirelvep.co.uk, or email hello@telfordandshropshirelvelp.co.uk

Staff and students from The 3-18 Education Trust visited RAF Shawbury yesterday to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, marking the Trust’s formal commitment to supporting Forces personnel, children and families across its Shropshire schools.

Trust Covenant signing visit

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, including the bereaved, are treated fairly.

The 3-18 Education Trust is committed to supporting children and young people from Service families who may experience frequent school moves and the challenges of family separation during deployment. There are currently over 150 Service children across the Trust’s schools in Shropshire.

The Trust’s focus on education and wellbeing includes:

• Pastoral liaison roles in schools with a high number of Service pupils
• Close working with Family Liaison Teams
• Effective use of the Service Pupil Premium
• Support for cadet organisations

As an employer, the Trust is also committed to flexible employment practices for Service spouses and Reservists, and to recognising military skills and qualifications in recruitment.

David O’Toole, CEO of The 3-18 Education Trust, formally signed the covenant and said:

“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is something we have wanted to do for some time, and doing so here at RAF Shawbury feels entirely right. The values that underpin service life — commitment, resilience, teamwork and a strong sense of duty — are values we recognise and value across our schools. This Covenant reflects our commitment to standing behind those who serve, and the families who support them. It is about ensuring that, in our schools and as an organisation, they feel understood, supported and able to thrive.”

The signing was also attended by Mark Cooper, Headteacher, and Ruth Holland, Service Child Coordinator, from Thomas Adams School in Wem, alongside Penny Lyall, Headteacher, and Alison Clarkson, Teaching Assistant, from Hodnet Primary School. Pupils from both schools also attended the visit.

The signing was hosted in partnership with RAF Shawbury and Shropshire Council’s Armed Forces Covenant Lead, Sean McCarthy.

RAF Shawbury Station Commander, Wing Commander Paddy Durnin, said:

“I am delighted that RAF Shawbury is able to host the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant by The 3-18 Education Trust. Education is always one of the first thoughts for Service families as we face frequent moves. We are particularly lucky that the two schools represented today, Thomas Adams School and Hodnet Primary School have an excellent understanding of the support required by Service parents and children. By signing the Covenant, the CEO is underlining the commitment of The 3-18 Education Trust across all their schools, for which we as a Service community are very grateful.”

Councillor Gary Groves, Shropshire Council’s Armed Forces Champion, added:

“It is a real pleasure to see The 3-18 Education Trust formally signing the Armed Forces Covenant here at RAF Shawbury. This commitment sends a clear message that Service families in Shropshire will be recognised, understood and supported. Children from Armed Forces backgrounds often show remarkable resilience, but they can also face unique challenges. By putting the right support in place – both in the classroom and beyond – the Trust is helping to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. On behalf of Shropshire Council, I welcome this positive step and look forward to continuing to work together to support our Armed Forces community.”

Signing the covenant forms part of The 3-18 Education Trust’s longer-term ambition to achieve recognition through the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, recognising organisations that demonstrate a strong and sustained commitment to the Armed Forces community.

Notes for Editors:

The 3-18 Education Trust is a Shropshire-based Multi-Academy Trust providing a high quality, aspirational education from early years through to post-16.

Our Trust comprises of eleven schools bringing together a vibrant and diverse community of 5,600 students, 840 teaching and support staff and 110 governors.

For press enquiries, contact media@318education.co.uk

 News from our partners

Looking forward to attending an event this summer?

Shropshire Council is working with Counter Terrorism Policing to help keep everyone safe this summer by supporting their latest campaign encouraging the public to stay alert and report anything that doesn’t feel right to security.

Do Summer Safely campaign poster

We all have a role to play in keeping each other safe. Your safety is our priority and that’s why you can play your part by trusting your instincts, and if you see something that doesn’t feel right, tell security. Our teams will take every report seriously. You won’t be wasting their time.

Here are some quick tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable time:

•    Arrive early, allowing more time for security checks and measures
•    Be patient with security checks. It might seem inconvenient, but they are in place to help you.
•    Keep it simple and minimise what you carry. Fewer bags to search will speed up entry.
•    Stay alert and look out for each other. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, tell security. Don’t leave it to someone else.
•    Don’t leave bags unattended. Never agree to look after a stranger’s bag, no matter how genuine they seem.
•    If there is an incident, listen to staff and any announcements.

In an emergency, always call 999.

Have an amazing time, and if you see something that doesn’t feel right, report it to security straight away. Thank you for playing your part.

Domestic abuse awareness

As the 2026 football World Cup is under way, organisations across Shropshire are coming together to reinforce a simple message: everyone has the right to feel safe at home and in their relationships.

Major sporting events can bring excitement and a sense of community. However, for some people, the home can become more dangerous, as abuse escalates behind closed doors.

Factors that present themselves during sporting events, such as increased substance use, emotional highs and lows, financial pressures, or gambling concerns, can increase the risk of harm for some people.

Domestic abuse is never acceptable and is not caused by football, substance use or stress, but these can be contributing factors. Responsibility always lies with the person choosing to use abusive behaviour.

World Cup 2026: keeping people safe in Shropshire – Shropshire Council Newsroom

News from our partners

Shropshire Community Leisure Trust (SCLT), which operates six leisure centres in the county on behalf of Shropshire Council, will once again be opening its doors for free to all serving and ex-military personnel to commemorate Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June.

Supporting our Armed Forces

Taking part are: Whitchurch Swimming & Fitness Centre, Quarry Swimming & Fitness Centre, Shrewsbury Sports Village, Oswestry Leisure Centre, Bishops Castle Leisure Centre and Market Drayton Swimming & Fitness Centre.

Partnership Manager for SCLT, Rhys Collins said:

“As we have done since 2023, on Armed Forces Day, we will be offering free access to our centres for all current or ex-armed forces employees. There’s no need to pre-book, just turn up at one of our centres with proof of service, such as an ID or veteran’s card.

“To further cement our commitment to a group of people who do so much to support this nation, both home and abroad, I would like to announce that we have received a Silver Award from the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme, having achieved the Bronze accreditation in 2023.”

The Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme identifies those employers who have gone above and beyond in their support for the armed forces community.

Ian Phelps, chair of SCLT, said:

‘We are thrilled to have been successful in our nomination for the Defence Employer Recognition Silver Award.  This represents three years of hard work by the trust to strengthen our connections with Shropshire’s serving military and ex-military personnel and their families.  We look forward to developing our work even further and being a strong advocate locally for our military communities.”

Councillor Gary Groves, Armed Forces Champion for Shropshire Council, said:

“Armed Forces Day is an important opportunity for us all to recognise and thank the men and women who serve, and who have served, our country with such dedication.

“I’m delighted to see Shropshire Community Leisure Trust once again supporting our Armed Forces community by offering free access to its leisure centres across the county. Initiatives like this are a simple but meaningful way of showing our appreciation and ensuring that serving personnel, veterans and their families feel valued within our communities.

“The Trust’s achievement of the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award is also a significant milestone and reflects a strong and ongoing commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community in Shropshire. This is exactly the kind of partnership working we want to see, and I look forward to continuing to build on this positive work together.”

SCLT operates six leisure centres in partnership with Serco Leisure, and on behalf of Shropshire Council. For details of all the trust’s sites, please visit the website: https://www.shropshireleisurecentres.com/

For further information, please contact:

Alan Mitchell – Communications Manager
Alan.mitchell@serco.com
07764 333 639

 Notes to editors:

About Shropshire Community Leisure Trust

Shropshire Community Leisure Trust manages the Whitchurch Swimming Centre, Market Drayton Swimming Pool, Oswestry Leisure Centre, Shrewsbury Sports Village and The Quarry Swimming Pools.

Our vision is the creation and maintenance of a first-class range of healthy leisure and recreational activities and facilities to serve all parts of the communities in the areas we serve.

We work in partnership with the community and all relevant bodies including but not restricted to existing providers of relevant leisure and recreational activities, the Local and Parish Councils, County and Town Councils and potential funding partners. For more information, visit our website: Shropshire Community Leisure Trust

About Serco Leisure

Our vision is to help our customers make more of every day. We run gyms, swimming pools, event venues and National Sports Centres, including Bisham Abbey, Lilleshall and the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont Country Park. For more information about the company, visit its webpage: https://www.serco.com/uk/sector-expertise/citizen-services/leisure-services

Work to resurface the A495 in Ellesmere began on 2 June [2026].

The work is being completed in four phases. Phase 2 – from The Red Lion to The Boathouse – is being carried out this week.

Councillor David Vasmer (our Cabinet member for highways) and local councillor Rosie Radford went to see the work and to find out more.

Phase 3 of the work – from The Boathouse to Tunnel Bank – starts on Monday (15 June). Phase 1 – from Sparbridge roundabout to The Red Lion – was completed last week.

To ensure the safety of road users and the workforce, a road closure is in place during each phase from 9.30am to 4pm each day (weekdays only).

Work is being carried out by Kier Infrastructure  on behalf of Shropshire Council.

See more information here.

The prestigious LGC (Local Government Chronicle) Awards took place in London on Wednesday night and Shropshire Council teams were nominated in two categories and went on to win a bronze award for the work of Shropshire Council Anti Racism Forum known as SCARF.

LGC bronze award

SCARF was shortlisted in the Diversity and Inclusion category and Shire Services was in the Large Team of the Year category. This year each category also included a silver and bronze award.

There were more than 1,000 entries overall to the LGC Awards 2026.

Heather Kidd, leader of the council said:

“It was a great achievement to make the shortlist and for SCARF, it’s a huge accolade to win the Bronze Award. It’s clear recognition of all the work the team does in identifying, challenging and addressing racism and also celebrating diversity. What a team!

“Shire Services’ incredible team were also shortlisted highlighting the exceptional efforts they make across the services they deliver. My congratulations to everyone involved.”

Shire Services has also been shortlisted for three categories in the School Food People Awards (formerly LACA):

• Catering Business of the Year
• Marketing
• Natasha’s Allergy Research Fund – Allergy Management Award.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday 8 July.

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet has approved a new Commissioning, Procurement and Contract Management (CPCM) Strategy, setting out how the council will plan, buy and manage goods, works and services over the next three years. 

In simple terms, the strategy explains how the council will make better decisions about what it buys, who it buys from and how contracts are managed, so that public money is spent wisely and services deliver the best possible results for local people. 

The CPCM Strategy supports the council’s wider plans for improvement and sets a clear framework for how commissioning and procurement should work across the organisation. It focuses on understanding local need, using evidence to guide decisions, working with partners and managing contracts well so the council can achieve better value for money, stronger performance and better outcomes for residents. 

A key part of the strategy is social value. This means looking beyond cost alone and considering the wider benefits that contracts can bring to Shropshire. For example, the council will look for opportunities to support local jobs, apprenticeships, small businesses, voluntary and community organisations, and environmental goals when it buys services. By strengthening local markets and building social value into procurement from the start, the council aims to make a positive difference in communities across the county. 

Councillor Roger Evans, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for finance, said:  

“This strategy is about making sure we spend public money in the best possible way, while also delivering real benefits for the people and communities of Shropshire. It gives us a clear and consistent approach to commissioning, procurement and contract management, helping us secure better outcomes, stronger value for money and more effective services. 

“It is also an important step in helping the council become financially sustainable for the future, helping us to deliver our Corporate and Improvement Plans. By planning better, managing contracts more effectively and making the most of social value in everything we do, we can support local businesses and communities, improve services and make every pound work harder for our residents.” 

The strategy will help the council respond to rising demand, tighter budgets and new procurement rules, while making sure decisions are fair, transparent and focused on what matters most to Shropshire’s residents. It also provides a stronger foundation for long-term financial sustainability by improving oversight, strengthening governance and ensuring the council gets the best overall value from its third-party spend. 

To view the strategy, people can visit Shropshire Council’s website.

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet yesterday (Wednesday 10 June 2026) approved proposals for a transformation of children’s services that will help make a more child-friendly Shropshire.

The transformation programme, which reflects changes to government statutory requirements affecting children’s services nationwide, will see a new focus on prevention, and on greater collaboration between agencies and services to ensure a smoother experience for families needing support.

It will affect services for children aged 0 to 18 as well as young adults with SEND up to age 25. By making the right help available, at the right time, where it is needed, it will be possible to intervene and support families earlier, addressing problems before they escalate into crisis.

Services including health, education, social care and community partners will work closely together to provide one joined-up support system across Shropshire, with Family Hubs and local multi-agency teams providing support directly in the communities where it is needed. The aim is to help improve the number of Shropshire children starting school having met their development milestones and reduce the number of children in care.

The programme will also help Shropshire Council meet the objectives of its corporate and improvement plans by improving the health of Shropshire communities and making the council more sustainable financially.

An early stage of the programme, delivery of which was also approved by the Cabinet, will be a series of Best Start in Life Family Hubs in Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Ludlow, expected to launch in September. There will also be multi-disciplinary teams delivering in Highley, Market Drayton and South Shropshire. Whilst these sites are critical, the services will also be available to access in a wide range of local community venues and in families’ homes as it is recognised that the rural nature of Shropshire can make it harder for families to access services and support.

Councillor Andy Hall, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:

“These government reforms represent the most critical changes within Children’s Services for decades. Thanks to a simpler and more accessible system, children will be able to thrive in their communities and less intensive intervention will be required, creating a better future for Shropshire children, young people and families.”

Read the full report that was presented to Cabinet here.

Shropshire residents are being asked for their views on Shropshire Council’s highways and transport services – from the condition of roads and footpaths to public transport and the quality of cycling facilities – in this year’s annual National Highways and Transport (NHT) Public Satisfaction survey.

A questionnaire is being sent to a minimum random sample of at least 3,300 Shropshire residents from 3 June 2026, followed by a reminder – with local and national results to be published in late-October 2026. Since the survey is based on a sample, residents that receive a copy are being urged to take part.

Their answers will be compared with the views of residents in other council areas across England and Scotland.

Shropshire Council is one of 100 councils to sign up to the standardised survey, that will ask members of the public exactly the same questions regardless of which council area they live in.

The survey, which is being run for the 19th year, is the largest collaboration between Local Authorities offering the opportunity to compare results, share in best practice and identify further opportunities to work together in the future.

David Vasmer, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and waste, said:

“This survey gives people across the Shropshire Council area an opportunity to say which services they think the council should prioritise. The results will be one of several ways that the council can assess what to improve first,  and I would therefore  encourage anyone who receives a questionnaire to complete it.”

 Rob Wilson, Cabinet member for transport and regeneration, said:

“This survey is about understanding customer views better and working together to deliver the best outcomes for local residents so will provide us with some really useful information about what local people think about our highways and transport services.”

Residents that receive the questionnaire can complete the survey online if they prefer, a short URL link will be printed on the front of the questionnaire and they will be required to enter a code before completing the questionnaire.

Shropshire Council is urging anyone affected by this decision to contact the adult social care team to arrange for a care act assessment and/or carers’ assessment.  

This tough decision follows a thorough public consultation and recommendations by the council’s new Finance and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Cabinet agreed that very few people currently use the service, which has been the case for a prolonged period, making it no longer financially sustainable.  

The service currently operates for 12 hours over the week with very low attendance. The forecast annual running cost of the service is £194,320, against forecast income of £24,582, leaving a net cost of £169,738. Cabinet concluded that this represents a high-cost service model that is not delivering value for money in its current form. The decision to close the adult day centre service at Helena Lane is part of Shropshire Council’s wider plans to transform services so that they provide best value for money and make best use of council facilities. 

In reaching its decision, Cabinet considered not only the council’s severe financial pressures, but also its duties to support residents with eligible care needs and to take account of consultation feedback and equality impacts. While recognising the value that the service at Helena Lane has provided to users and to unpaid carers, Cabinet agreed that there is not currently a sufficiently developed and affordable redesign option that would make the service viable within a reasonable timeframe. 

Councillor Ruth Houghton, portfolio holder for adult social care, said: 

“This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and one we take with genuine sadness and regret, because we know how important the service at Helena Lane has been to the people who use it, and to their families and carers. We do not underestimate the impact this will have, and I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation to raise their concerns. I really wish we didn’t have to do this. However, Cabinet has had to consider the significant financial challenges facing the council and whether the current model is sustainable in the long term, given the low utilisation and high running costs.” 

“I really want to stress that everyone affected by the closure will be supported through the offer of a comprehensive, person-centred care plan, with individual assessments. We’ll arrange alternative support  where required so that needs continue to be met, and I am confident that they will be. We remain absolutely committed to listening to our residents and providing the care and support that meets people’s needs in the local area. Again, I’d like to stress that this is not a decision we want to take. Sadly, the council’s financial situation means that we have to make these difficult decisions.  

“I would strongly urge everyone affected to take up the offer of a Care Act assessment – we may have agreed to close a service, but we remain absolutely committed to providing people with the care they need. That care will just be in a different way.” 

The council will offer individual care planning and reassessment to all impacted people, and where appropriate will also offer carers’ assessments and financial assessments. These plans will consider each person’s circumstances in detail, including any personal care, supervision, mobility, transport or respite needs. 

As part of this process, Shropshire Council will work with individuals and families to put suitable alternative support in place. This may include direct payments, personal assistants, commissioned care and supported access to community services, or other tailored arrangements designed to ensure eligible needs continue to be met. 

Shropshire Council recognises that this will be a difficult change for people who currently rely on the service and for their carers. The council is committed to managing the transition carefully and compassionately,. 

The building at Helena Lane and other services are not affected by this decision. 

 If you are affected by this change and wish to request a care needs assessment or get advice about adult social care in the county, you should contact the council directly:  

• Phone: 0345 678 9044 (First Point of Contact team) 

• Hours: Monday to Thursday (8:45 am to 5:00 pm) and Friday (8:45 am to 4:00 pm) 

• Emergency Out-of-Hours: 0345 678 9040 (Emergency Social Work Team) 

• Email: customer.service@shropshire.gov.uk (General Enquiries)